Category Archives: Living with t1D

I’ve just spent the last 24 hours with people who also happen to have diabetes, specifically people who blog and/or are active in the diabetes social media space. We met because Abbott invited us to trial their Freestyle Libre, which has just been approved for use in Australia. Yes this was a marketing event, no I have not been paid to write about it. My travel and accommodation expenses were covered by Abbott and I was given a reader and 2 sensors but I am under no obligation to blog or otherwise write about or comment on their product.

I offer some information and my very limited experience of it in hopes they may be of interest to readers interested in new technology. Continue reading →

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So way back in April (wow time flies) I blogged about launching my low carb experiment. I was trying for ultra low carb because I’ve always been a bit all or nothing. I recognise for a lot of people it seems to work well, although I note that it seems to be men who really thrive on this regime. For me, despite perservering for some weeks, and despite the advice that this too will pass from low carb advocates I don’t like living with: Continue reading →

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Diabetes Australia has launched a Diabetes Week Campaign. So be aware of this-the week is 12-18 July. To quote their website

“Diabetes Australia has developed campaign material to launch in National Diabetes Week (12 – 18 July) to raise awareness of the seriousness of diabetes and the growing number of people who have it. The national television advertisement features 280 images of people with diabetes – representing the 280 people who develop diabetes every day in Australia. It will feature 10 “hero” images that will be on screen for approx 2 seconds – some with people managing their diabetes and some with the serious complications of diabetes including heart disease, stroke, amputation and blindness. The campaign call to action will be “What do you need to know about diabetes?” (my bold)Continue reading →

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There have been some interesting things happening in the world of diabetes of late, particularly in relation to funding and advocacy, so I’ve decided to put my twittering and facebooking to good use and bring our blog readers a round-up of interesting and concerning “stuff”.

Government guidelines require type 2s on tablets to test before they drive. Subsequent Government publications say most type 2s on tablets don’t need to test.

What the?? Is self blood glucose monitoring for type 2s on tablets necessary to protect your own and public safety OR is it something that provides no benefit to health or well-being? The contradiction might be a bit of a yawn but not when you realise it could result in a jail sentence.Continue reading →

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Diet has been inextricably linked with diabetes treatment since ancient times. Before the discovery of insulin, starvation diets were the only way of prolonging a wretched life. Since the discovery of insulin the diet fads advice has waxed and waned. It’s all butter and fatty meat one decade and white bread and potatoes the next.

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I’ve been thinking about diabetes education for what one diabetes educator calls “veterans”. It’s a topic that’s come up a few times on this blog and I’ve seen it raised recently in the twittersphere. What we’re talking about is not so much diabetes 101 but a PhD. in kicking diabetes butt. Continue reading →

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Lately I’ve been dipping into a Berkely EdX course on the “Science of Happiness”. The course looks at studies and empirical evidence, as well as philosophical and religious beliefs about happiness. It’s a really interesting topic and judging by the thousands of people from all over the world who are participating, happiness remains a hot topic-just as it was for the Ancient philosophers 3,000 years ago.

I haven’t seen an analysis of the happiness related to health and particularly the effects of managing a condition like diabetes. Conincidently as I was looking at the Berkely course, I saw a lot of stuff on Social media about mental health week, so started to think about applying some of the science of the course to diabetes in particular. I haven’t finished the course yet but I really liked one of the introductory exercises, so thought I’d kick off thinking about happiness and D with this.

Three Good Things.

This is a quick, easy exercise that sounds a bit twee BUT I gave it a try and it really works. The idea is that at the end of every day you think of 3 things that made you happy (some say 3 things for which you’re grateful). I’ve been doing it for life in general and it’s amazing how many small things there are to be happy about and how you tend to take the good things for granted but spend a lot of time thinking about little things that annoy or upset you. I think the same applies to diabetes.

The problem with diabetes is there is no end to the calculations, the medical appointments, the dietary mandates, the quest for perfection and it is so easy to dwell on the tiny infractions rather than the multitude of positive things we do for our health. It might be as basic as giving yourself a shot-but hell congratulate yourself for doing something most of the population says they could never do. Instead of focusing on the result of a bsl check, rejoice in the fact that you’re engaging in such a health-promoting activity.

So for yesterday:

I did well to put in a new pump site well before the old one stopped working and made my bsls go high.

I made time to purchase new pump supplies & I’m grateful I live in Australia where this is not a cheap but it is a possible option.

I checked my bsl 5 times and acted upon the results.

For another day it might be: I went for a half-hour walk in the sunshine, which was lovely and boosted my mental and physical health.

I ate low carb, high fibre food all day-yay!

I didn’t have any hypos today

WOW, I’m a legend at self-care if I do say so myself!

Seriously, I recommend giving this a try, both for diabetes stuff and life in general-even if you do it once a week, you’ll notice a difference. Are there things you do to try to boost happiness? I’d love to hear your three good things for today (diabetes-related or not)-please post a comment and let’s get a happiness bonanza going.